The Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominated the Los Angeles Chargers in thrilling fashion, 40-17. The Bucs overcame two turnovers and a second-quarter lull by posting 30 unanswered points in the second half en route to 505 total net yards against the top-scoring defense in the NFL. Tampa Bay posted 222 yards on the ground, becoming just the second team in 2024 to rush for over 200 yards (joining Baltimore) against L.A. Baker Mayfield completed 22-of-27 attempts for 288 yards, four touchdowns and one interception for a 135.3 rating. Mike Evans spearheaded the aerial attack with 159 yards and two touchdowns, and rookie Bucky Irving posted 117 yards on the ground, including a 54-yard run. Lavonte David led the defense with eight tackles and 1.5 sacks.
The Buccaneers marched down the field on their opening offensive possession, which culminated in a Jalen McMillan 26-yard touchdown off a rub route. The 70-yard drive gave the visiting team an early 7-0 lead inside SoFi Stadium. Los Angeles responded with a 70-yard scoring drive, tying the game at seven. Justin Herbert rolled out of the pocket and connected with Ladd McConkey for a seven-yard touchdown. A 22-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin on the ensuing drive gave Tampa Bay a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter. The Chargers then tied it up at 10 following a 41-yarder by Cameron Dicker. An 11-yard sack by Lavonte David put the Chargers behind the chains, setting up second-and-21 on the aforementioned drive.
The Chargers then capitalized off a Baker Mayfield interception with a Quentin Johnston 13-yard touchdown. Tarheeb Still, who ran out of bounds at the Tampa bay 27-yard line after an 18-yard interception return, provided the home team with a 17-10 advantage. McLaughlin drilled a 37-yard field goal late in the second and Logan Hall ended the first half with a five-yard sack of Herbert, extending his single season career high to 4.0. The Bucs were five-of-eight on third down through the first two frames, while the Chargers went 0-for-two on third down.
Out of the half, Baker Mayfield rolled out of the pocket and found Mike Evans for a 57-yard score. On the play, Evans surpassed 100 yards on the day to give Tampa Bay a 20-17 lead. Bucky Irving became the catalyst on the drive, getting downhill on an 18-yard pickup around the left end. Irving eclipsed the 100-yard rushing marker on the next drive with a 54-yard gain. Ko Kieft served as the puller and delivered a key block to spring Irving for the explosive gain. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty forced a McLaughlin 42-yard field goal.
On the Chargers' next possession, Jamel Dean intercepted Herbert on a floater at the 42-yard line, sending Mayfield and company back on the field. The Bucs cashed in with a four-play, 42-yard scoring drive, ending in a 35-yard Evans' touchdown. He utilized a subtle move to get inside leverage on Kristian Fulton for the score, giving Tampa Bay a 30-17 lead at the end of the third.
In the fourth, Mayfield threw his fourth touchdown pass, a screen to Rachaad White for the 11-yard score. The Bucs took a 37-17 lead against a defense that entered the Week 15 matchup as the league's top scoring unit. With just over two minutes to play, a 43-yard field goal by McLaughlin put the exclamation mark on the Bucs' 40-17 advantage.
TOP PERFORMERS 🏈
Buccaneers:
- Passing: QB Baker Mayfield: 22/27 for 288 yards - 4 TDs & 1 INT
- Rushing: RB Bucky Irving: 15 rushes for 117 yards
- Receiving: WR Mike Evans: 9 catches for 159 yards - 2 TDs
- Defense: LB Lavonte David: 12 total tackles - 1.5 sacks
Chargers:
- Passing: QB Justin Herbert: 21/33 for 195 yards - 2 TDs & 1 INT
- Rushing: RB Gus Edwards: 8 rushes for 23 yards
- Receiving: WR Ladd McConkey: 5 catches for 58 yards - 1 TD
- Defense: LB Troy Dye: 9 total tackes - 1 sack
